Sky-Watcher Maksutov 90/1250 CQ40

Sky-Watcher Maksutov 90/1250 CQ40

Sky-Watcher Maksutov Cassegrain 90/1250 telescope on Sky-Watcher CQ40 mount.

Optical Tube

This telescope is an ideal companion on trips and, as well as being an astronomical telescope it is suitable for use as a mirror spotting scope for nature watching. It is also suitable for children to take their very first steps in enjoying the night sky. This extremely compact telescope fits in virtually any hand luggage and this type is also known for its very high contrast image. With a 90mm aperture, this telescope is one of the smaller representatives of its type. The light gathering capacity is 165 times more than the naked eye alone (with a 7mm pupil). The saying 'the best telescope is one which you have with you' is very apt here, as hardly any other telescope is so easily transportable. Astronomically, this telescope has a lot to offer: the 1.3 arc seconds resolution means planets become beautiful objects to observe. Observing DSOs, such as the Orion Nebula, or scanning through the summer Milky Way is also a lot of fun. The telescope offers a suitable alternative to the usual scopes when used as a spotting scope for nature watching, and at a low price. Many classical spotting scopes only allow a fixed camera adapter at the higher end of the range at several hundred euros. This telescope is different: there are a wide range of adapters for nature photography available. The 1250mm focal length allows low-cost bird photography to be carried out for example. And of course for astrophotography it is possible to take exposures of the Moon. The sharpness of the image can be adjusted by use of a knob on the side of the 'scope which moves the primary mirror backwards of forwards. This mechanism allows a large range of focus which permits a wide range of different accessories to be used.

Mount
The CQ40 mount is designed to be used in the Equatorial mode, which allows the user to take full advantage of the extra possibilities offered by this mode:
- The CQ40's setting circles can be used to help finding objects invisible to the naked eye.
- It is easy to follow a celestial object once it is visible in the eyepiece. Turning only the RA axis flexible control cable will allow following.
- RA axis can be upgraded with a motor kit for tracking.

The payload capacity of the Sky-Watcher CQ40 mount is 4 kg and it weighs only 1 kg. The Sky-Watcher CQ40 mount features a latitude adjustment range of 0° to 72° and an efficient worm-gear system. An adjustable aluminum tripod with accessory tray is included.